Thursday night features two pivotal Game 2s in the NBA playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers aim to even the series against the Detroit Pistons, while the Los Angeles Lakers seek to make their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder more competitive.

In their Game 1 loss to the Pistons, the Cavaliers struggled with 19 turnovers, despite a late-game surge that fell short. To secure a road victory, the Cavaliers need to maintain their rhythm for the entire game against a robust Pistons defense.

Conversely, the Lakers faced an uphill battle in their Game 1 against the Thunder, losing 108-90. The Lakers must improve significantly, especially if they hope to compete without their superstar Luka Dončić.

NBA Games Today: May 7 Playoff Schedule

• Game 2: Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons (-3.5), 7 p.m. -- Prime Video
• Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (-15.5), 9:30 p.m. -- Prime Video

Matchup Predictions

Cavaliers vs. Pistons Game 2 Prediction
The Pistons have displayed impressive physicality in the playoffs, with Jalen Duren contributing seven offensive rebounds, showcasing his strength against the Cavaliers' big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. While the Cavaliers possess a superior offense compared to the Pistons' previous opponents, Detroit's defense can present similar challenges. The prediction leans towards the Pistons to secure another home victory before heading to Cleveland. Pick: Pistons (-3.5)

Lakers vs. Thunder Game 2 Prediction
Without Dončić, the Lakers are unlikely to regain competitiveness in this series. The Thunder's robust defense has proven too much for the Lakers, who struggled to find their rhythm in Game 1. Players like Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Smart need to step up significantly for the Lakers to have any hope of turning the series around.